Lymphatic Filariasis Survey in Some Social Welfare Hostels in the Twin Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A survey was conducted to look for the presence of Lymphatic.Filariasis (LF) disease and microfilaria (mf) among children residing in six Social Welfare Hostels (SWH) in the twin Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh (AP). The study also elicited the personal protection measures taken by the students against mosquito bites and consumption of DEC (Diethyl-Carbamazine) during Mass Drug Administration (MDA). In none of the 678 (432 boys and 246 girls) students examined in both the districts, any disease manifestation was found. In East Godavari district, 4 boys in the age group of 8 to 12 years were found positive for Wuchereria bancrofti mf in the blood. No girl of the district was found positive for mf. Overall microfilaria rate (mfr) in SWH of East Godavari district was below 1 percent (0.87 percent). However, a rather high average mf count of 12.6 per 20 cu mm of blood was found. Microfilaria rate among SWH children of West Godavari district was calculated as 1.36 percent with average microfilaria count of 1.66 per 20 cu mm of blood. No student used bed net while sleeping at night. The DEC consumption rate during MDA in the SWH of West Godavari district was at a low 48.2 percent. Infection in wild Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito was recorded from the study area. The study showed that there was still active transmission of L.F in the districts even after eleven rounds of MDA.